Hennepin Canal study results to be released

BY KIRAN SOOD
ksood@saukvalley.com
800-798-4085, ext. 529

ROCK FALLS – What could the economic impact of the Renaissance Hennepin Canal project be on the communities along the 50-mile waterway?

That’s what the Friends of the Hennepin Canal and the Henry County Tourism Bureau will discuss today at a public meeting in Geneseo, where the results of a study on the impact of canal cruising will be released.

Renaissance Hennepin Canal is a nonprofit group working to restore three locks on the Hennepin Canal, between Rock Falls and Geneseo.

Other agencies participating include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Rock Falls Tourism Board and the cities of Milan, Colona, Geneseo, Mineral and Rock Falls.

Cathy Brunner, executive director of Rock Falls Tourism, will be among those attending.

The canal is a “major tourism draw for our community and our region,” Brunner said, adding that her focus will be to learn what other cities are doing to promote the canal, and to see what else Rock Falls could be doing.

“Anything that I can garner that will provide me with more insight to what people want certainly is worth my effort as a tourism office,” she said.

The city recently formed a committee to see what’s needed to annex part of the Hennepin Feeder Canal. Today’s discussion might provide insight into that process, Brunner said.

To attend

The Friends of the Hennepin Canal and the Henry County Tourism Bureau will present results of a study on the economic impact of the Renaissance Hennepin Canal project at 2 p.m. today in the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Office, 100 W. Main St. in Geneseo.

Call 309-944-2686 or go to friends-hennepin-canal.org/renaissance-project/ for more information.